The Gown Student Newspaper at Queen's University Belfast

What could have been a chance for the French to restore national pride after Zidane’s now infamous head butt in 2006, France’s 2010 World Cup campaign quickly descended into a farcical mutiny, sparked by the controversial exiling of Nicolas Anelka.  Anelka, sent home after screaming “You fucking son of a whore” at French coach Raymond Domenech, was the catalyst for a group of France’s senior players, led by team captain Patrice Evra, to lead a mutiny against the FFF and Domenech. The players refused to train at the obligatory “open training session” requested by FIFA, in order to allow fans the chance to see the stars of each country up close and personal for free. However, France’s rebels chose instead to sign autographs before retiring to their base.Domenech has found little sympathy amongst the French public in the wake of the incident and France’s subsequent World Cup exit, to the extent that he has had to rely on his own mother’s intervention in the wake of Anelka’s outburst. Germaine Domenech claimed that she would like to meet Anelka and give him a piece of her mind.

Leader of the players’ mutiny and former team captain, Patrice Evra, has claimed that he will soon reveal all of the reasons behind the players’ refusal to train. Thierry Henry meanwhile, met with French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, as the French public demanded answers as to why their team failed them so badly. Sarkozy has used his position of authority to ensure that none of the French team receives any financial bonuses as a result of the World Cup. Sarkozy has suffered as a result of his interference, with French politicians lambasting his decision to make this a matter of urgency. Charity Oxfam also lost out, as their meeting with the head of state was cancelled to accommodate Henry’s requested meeting.

The general consensus is that the Anelka incident was merely an incendiary spark amongst a powder keg of frustration in the French camp. Henry spoke of his feelings of “isolation” within the group, and it is widely known that several players were angered by Domenech’s team selections and training. Following a 0-0 draw with Uruguay and a 2-0 defeat by Mexico, where Domenech was caught on camera smirking in the aftermath of Mexico’s second goal, the French imploded. Their last appearance at the World Cup witnessed six changes to the regular line-up, with Arsenal’s Gael Clichy relegating captain Evra to the bench.

Government spokesman Luc Chatel savaged the team on Wednesday, saying they lacked “respect, team spirit, pride and enough dignity to wear the shirt of any club.”

What is clear about the whole affair is that there were factions in the French squad, although Evra’s statement implies that there will be other mitigating factors coming to light over the next few days.